Cape Verde has a small land mass, but the maritime area is very much larger at over 600.000 km2. The sea around Cape Verde is one of its most prized assets with the large sea life it provides and the large quantity and at present the sea activity only equates to one fourth of its maximum capacity.

The sea temperatures around Cape Verde vary between 21° and 25°, the clarity of the sea and the coral platforms are valuable resources. There are many types of sea life which stay around the shores of Cape Verde year long and Cape Verde is also the host of many species of sea life which migrate to the shores of Cape Verde each year. One main species which migrates to Cape Verde each year is tuna fish, and these tuna fish provide a lot of fishing industry for Cape Verde.

There are a few species of sea turtles which select some beaches on the islands of Sal and Boa Vista to bury their eggs into the sand. These sea turtles are heavily protected in Cape Verde and there are organisations in place to keep the turtles which visit Cape Verde safe.